So Fell are the Fae | Through the Wall: Book 1

 

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This book is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and Paperback options.

By: Kat Keenan

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Publication Date: October 19, 2023

Rate: ♥♥♥♥♥

Book Summary:

Magic wanes. The realm of Faerie dies. The land’s one hope is a fae lord cursed never to feel love’s touch and the one person who could kill him: his fated mate.

Innara
I’m a witch who can’t reliably harness her magic. Pathetic, I know. When I’m cornered by my father’s magic hunters, I have nowhere to go except through the Wall that separates humans from the deceitful, fell fae.

I fear I’ll end up the pawn of a fae lord within a brewing war. Unfortunately, Lord Kir may be my only hope to return home.

Kir
Witches aren’t to be trusted. The one who fell through the Wall? Her most of all. I don’t need another problem, no matter how attractive. My enemy, the one who cursed me, is pounding down my door to steal my power.

I’ve tried to read the witch’s mind to see if she spoke the truth but found something worse. If I were smart, I’d cast her away. But something won’t let me.

She needs a way home, and I need her help to find the clues that could save my court. So we enter a bargain that forces us closer. But acting on our attraction could burn us both and the hope of my court with us.

So Fell Are the Fae is the first book in the Through the Wall trilogy. This slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers fae fantasy is perfect for those who love fated mates, he-falls-first vibes, witches, curses, angst, and lots of twists and turns.


Note: So Fell Are the Fae is not intended for readers below the age of eighteen due to explicit language, violence/gore, and mature situations and themes.

My Thoughts:

This one captured my interest with the first sentence " Blood steamed in the snow, bright red and carving dents into the pristine white". Who or what's blood? Isn't this a romance book? Yes, yes it is. 

I loved Innar's character she is so feisty and full of life. She's ready to take on the world and is tired of things being kept secret from her. Her whole life she has been told to stay away from the wall that separates humans from Fae and then her mother tells her if she's ever in trouble to touch the wall. Say WHAT? Of course, touching the wall comes sooner rather than later of course and she ends up in an ice cave with a fae male named Kir. Of course, he is dreamy and everything she could ever want if she didn't think fae are terrible monsters.

I found the world-building to be enough to draw me in but not too much to distract me or overwhelm me. the character-building was great made me feel like I was right there. There is some spice, but nothing too drastic. It all went together to form a great story.

P.S. The only thing I hate is I have to wait for book 2: So Wicked are the Witches. Hopefully, it won't be too long. If you like fairy romance books with a little bit of smut this could be the book for you.

To Escape A Wonderland | The Shattered Tales: Book 12

 

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This book is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and Paperback options.

By: Cece Louise

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Fairy Tale Retelling, Fairy Tales

Publication Date: September 27, 2023

Rate: ♥♥♥♥

Book Summary:

A thieving maid with a secret. A tarnished knight with no purpose. Together, can they find a way out of Wonderland?

Alice once fell in love with the wrong man and paid a devastating price. Now she hides a dark secret and will stop at nothing to discover what happened to the sister she left behind. Bayne, a former knight, only wants a fresh start after his service almost cost him his life—and his mind. He certainly isn’t expecting a run-in with a thieving maidservant from his prior kingdom to change everything.

When the two are captured by outlaws and forced to partake in a traitorous plot, they end up lost in a perilous enchanted land with no way out. They must learn to trust each other—and themselves—if they hope to be freed from a twisted world where nothing is what it seems.

But the clock is ticking and some riddles have no answer. Can they escape before it’s too late, or will they be trapped in a land of madness forever?

To Escape a Wonderland is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

My Thoughts:

It was a cute story but it never really pulled me in. I went from liking it to hating it to liking it again. It was romantic and clean, perfect for teens. I liked that both characters had to figure out how to forgive themselves for their pasts. I also loved the subtle hits of the classic story. All in all, it was just okay for me. 

P.S. This is book 12 and I haven't read the first 11 books. If you are looking for the fairy tale aspect with a hint of romance this could be the book for you.

Savage is my Kingdom | Wicked Realms: Book 1

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This book is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and Paperback options.

By: L.A. McGinnis

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Publication Date: August 25, 2023

Rate: ♥♥♥♥♥

Book Summary:

Two ruthless kings at war.

A princess with a terrible power.

Four broken warriors were sworn to protect her.

When I was dragged from my home by the Fae King’s vicious enforcer, I left my old life as a slave behind to become a pawn in an ancient game between two powerful brothers, the bearer of stolen magic that could break kingdoms. Or forge a new one.

But I have a secret.

I can make this power mine, by sacrificing my most precious possession. My innocence.

While ruthless males go to war over this terrible magic I never asked for, there is only one future for me.

Claim the power, take the throne, and become a queen.

The closer I grow to my beautiful warriors, I discover I have more to lose than ever before. Some say love conquers all, but our dark bond could be the spark that leaves this wicked world in ruin.

My Thoughts:

It hooked me from the start... 

" I hadn't planned to die on the eve of the grandest ball of the year" 

Doesn't that just make you want to find out what's going to happen? Well, it did for me. I enjoyed all the characters even the bad guys. You don't have one evil king but two evil kings. Both out to destroy the other. Anaria the slave princess must figure it all out and become the ruler of it all. All while protecting her new friends. Will she be able to do it? I think so. This book does end on a cliffhanger but in a good way. I am definitely looking forward to the next book.

P.S. If you love fantasy romance this could be the book for you!

The Secrets of Jane: Improper Basters (Book 1)

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This book is currently available on Amazon Kindle, Hardback, and Paperback options.

By: Charlotte Mallory

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Publication Date: September 19, 2023

Rate: ♥♥♥♥♥

Book Summary:

“I’m a disciplined man, Jane. I can stay here for as long as you need before the lesson sinks in that you don’t run from me while in my charge." -- Soren

He's a Mercenary with powers that allow him to feel the hearts/desires/fears of others.
She's his target and must guard her identity at all costs.

My village is aflame, and a deadly legend becomes my captor.

I’m to appear before the most elite faction of mercenaries and warlords, commanded to answer for a crime they refuse to explain. Even if my only guess for why they want me is wrong, they cannot have me. I’ve sworn to never return to Skull’s Row, home to thieves and killers; the graveyard of my childhood.

He plans to unbury every memory until my soul is stripped bare: Soren, my captor, is strangely fascinated by me. By what I hide. Of the scars I have.

I’m unwillingly drawn to him. To his brutality. He harbors the same viciousness that coats my veins. He even seems persistent in taking me for himself…

He’ll either be my reckoning or my undoing.

…

This Dark Fantasy Romance is a Duet full of foul language, sensual scenes, and improper bastards.

My Thoughts:

Great book it had me from the start. Who doesn't love a female character who can kick some butt.

Jane is wonderful in all her worry and defiance. Soren her captor brings out all that Jane has to offer. I loved that they were both so grumpy. It added to the excitement. The world-building and all the details of the characters were well done. Definitely had me wanting to read more and go without sleep.

P.S. If you love a book with a pirate romance feel this could be the book for you.

Bonds of Gold and Flame (The Ember Heir Prophecies) | Review

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This book is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and Paperback options.

By: Ada Ashcroft

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Publication Date: September 21, 2023

Rate: ♥♥♥♥♥

Book Summary:

Damn it. Not again.
Waking up on the forest floor for the third time this week has me feeling like a crazy person.

According to the hot Alchemist with tattoos, they’re not dreams; they’re visions.
And I’m the first seer in over 200 years.

Apparently, it runs in the family, the royal family, that is.

Duty and curiosity (and maybe a little bit of lust) bring me to a whole new world.

Queendom sure beats growing up in an orphanage, but wouldn’t you guess that dear old dad is still MIA.

I've got to find him because returning to my birthright might be more than I bargained for.

Between mastering my craft and managing a kingdom at war, I didn’t realize things were going so sideways.

The last thing I expected was an earth-shattering love that threatened to undo me completely.

I don’t know if I can fix what’s broken, or if I should even be the one to do it.

But an interesting opportunity has presented itself…

Can I make the ultimate sacrifice to bring peace to a realm I hardly know?

My Thoughts:

The story got me right from the start. The poor girl wakes up in the woods naked and a strange man shows up... What the heck is going to happen?  The character development had me cheering for some and hating others. I loved the differences between the two cities. I also enjoyed how Adaline had to figure out how to learn what she could give up and still be happy and what she was willing to do for her people. I gobbled up every page and can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

P.S. If you love a little bit of romance and a little intrigue this could be the book for you.